Australian PM Rudd calls Sept. 7 poll

RISKY STRATEGY:Kevin Rudd has lifted Labor’s support, although a poll late last month still had the party trailing the opposition conservatives by 4 percentage points

Reuters, CANBERRA

He has also won support for his strong stance against asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat, with refugee policy set to play a leading role in the election.

Since returning to office, Rudd has announced Australia’s toughest measures to deter asylum seekers, announcing anyone who arrives by boat will be sent to either Papua New Guinea or Nauru in the Pacific for processing and resettlement.